The self-experiment: A week without coffee
Coffee, oh coffee, the elixir of life for all of us: It's almost frightening and, yes, also a little sad how absolutely dependent we are on the black filter broth that gives us the morning energy kick. For many people - and I'm not excluding myself - nothing works without the brown broth. So really, really nothing. Nada. Zero. You can't even think about getting up. But on the other hand: Who wants to become so dependent on a seemingly simple drink? It has to work without it, I thought, said it and put it into action.
The agony without a choice: coffeeless week
Once everyone knew, there was no escape. Of course, no one wanted to miss out on the fun: it could be fun, the others thought. This is going to be hell, I thought... I'll describe my coffee-less week to you day by day (and at the time of writing with a nice, big cup of coffee on the table in front of me) and the horrors as I experienced them -Week.
day 1
Actually quite okay. Yes, yes, yes, that's okay. At least I made it out of bed more or less easily. Instead of a huge mug of coffee, I treat myself to an ice-cold shower this morning to wake up my tired spirits and start the day full of energy. A short time later: Fresh is something different. On the way to work, Linda, who usually holds out the cup of freshly brewed devilish stuff from the shop window, looks at me puzzled. She can and must drink the cup herself today. I trot away with slumped shoulders...
day 2
Cold turkey. Before I even open my eyes, I remember what an outrageous thing I've gotten myself into. The first self-doubts arise: Who will notice if I allow myself a tiny cup? But the will to prove it to everyone - and especially to myself - is stronger than the desire for coffee. So today it has to be the cold shower that I take instead of coffee. Despondent, I open my eyes and begin the self-imposed torture. I try to distract myself with an audio book .
Day 3
Is there actually a bet, or am I actually doing it all for fun?! I can't believe the idea didn't come to me sooner - as a bet, I'm trying to find a new coffee machine for myself. Unsuccessful.
Day 4
Pure despair. Even though it's almost half time today, it's particularly difficult for me to stay strong and leave Linda standing alone in the store today with the coffee mug. She just shakes her head and has no idea what's going on. But I don't have the heart to tell her about my personal coffee fast. Also, I'm really late today. The reason? Too tired - just missing the good old coffee that normally awakens my early spirits. It's unbelievable how this drink affects me: it's really frightening. These thoughts cross my head, Linda is getting smaller and smaller - and the thought occurs to me that perhaps quitting coffee isn't such a bad idea after all.
Day 5
I'm gaining new courage! There have to be alternatives, right? You don't want to become dependent - and that was the original idea - on anything too trivial. Instead of coffee today I'm trying a decent cup of black tea. After a sip or two I think: Hmm! But that's delicious. I could easily get used to it.
Day 6
I set off into the new day full of fresh courage to face life. I don't miss coffee one bit today - I have a large bottle of black tea in my luggage that I enjoy sipping at every opportunity. Only the typical coffee taste is missing a little bit.
Day 7
Caching! Today is the last day of my self-prescribed coffee diet, which means: starting tomorrow I can sip black gold again as I please. Only: I don't really have a great desire for it. I am now absolutely satisfied with my alternative to coffee, black or green tea.
After cold coffee withdrawal: This is what happens next
I have successfully completed the coffee-free week and can now enjoy what I want again. Every now and then I allow myself a cup or two - but I wouldn't describe myself as addicted anymore. Tasty and significantly healthier alternatives such as unsweetened teas (or: with milk and sugar, as a quasi equivalent!) provide variety and don't leave me missing anything.
Black gold, you give us daily strength - but what if the beloved black broth is deliberately left out? A self-experiment.
